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# The Global Intelligence Files

On Monday February 27th, 2012, WikiLeaks began publishing The Global Intelligence Files, over five million e-mails from the Texas headquartered "global intelligence" company Stratfor. The e-mails date between July 2004 and late December 2011. They reveal the inner workings of a company that fronts as an intelligence publisher, but provides confidential intelligence services to large corporations, such as Bhopal's Dow Chemical Co., Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and government agencies, including the US Department of Homeland Security, the US Marines and the US Defence Intelligence Agency. The emails show Stratfor's web of informers, pay-off structure, payment laundering techniques and psychological methods.

## STRATFOR India Country Brief - August 10, 2011

Released on 2012-09-03 09:00 GMT

Email-ID | 5306582
Date | 2011-08-10 20:12:07
From | Anya.Alfano@stratfor.com
To | fred.burton@stratfor.com, Declan_O'Donovan@dell.com, John_McClurg@DELL.com, Anders_De_La_Motte@Dell.com

Basic Political Developments
o The Lok Sabha was today adjourned till 1400 hrs after BJP, Shiv Sena
and SP members protested over firing on farmers in Pune.
o The decision to strike out Clause 14(f) will appease the supporters of
a separate state of Telangana.
o The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress have joined hands to
disrupt parliament in order to delay discussions on corruption and
price rise, the Left alleged Wednesday.
National Economic Trends
. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is expected to continue tightening
policy in coming months until inflation peaks, despite increasing
uncertainty over a global economic slowdown and an extended period of easy
policy in the developed world.
. Sharp differences persist in the government over whether and how
much of an impact the impending food law is likely to have on open market
food prices. At a time when input costs for farmers have already gone up
significantly and threaten volatility in food prices, the food ministry
has dismissed apprehensions voiced by Commission for Agricultural Costs
and Prices ( CACP) chairman Ashok Gulati on the issue.
Business, Energy or Environmental regulations or discussions
o L Capital Asia and Groupe Arnault is forming a 50:50 joint venture
with Genesis Luxury Fashion to showcase ethnic haute couture.
o Reliance Communications on Wednesday told a special CBI court on
second generation (2G) spectrum allocation case that its holdings in
Swan Telecom at the time of award of airwaves was well within the
prescribed limits.
o Ahead of the renewal of its MoU with the Orissa government for the
12-MTPA greenfield steel plant in Orissa, Posco-India has sought
certain modifications.
o Gold prices in India today crossed Rs 26,000 per 10 grams for the
first time ever.
Activity in the Oil and Gas sector (including regulatory)
. Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister S. Jaipal Reddy denied a
roll back in the prices of petroleum products in the domestic market.
. State-owned oil marketing companies on Wednesday stopped jet fuel
supplies to Air India in the four metros after cheques from the national
carrier towards payment for fuel bounced, raising fears that the airline's
flight schedules might be badly disrupted.
Militant Activity/Terrorism (Particularly in Bangalore, Mumbai, Noida, Chennai,
Coimbatore)
o The Centre today said intelligence inputs have suggested that al-Qaeda
and one of its dreaded terrorists Ilyas Kashmiri were planning to
target India.
o The outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has literally
split with a faction headed by the elusive commander-in-chief Paresh
Baruah Wednesday coming down hard on the peace talks led by chairman
Arabinda Rajkhowa.
o A huge cache of arms and ammunitions were recovered from a bus during
a search operation in the run-up to the Independence Day in Assam's
Dhubri district on Wednesday.
o The chairman of United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) Arabinda
Rajkhowa yesterday denied having received support from China or
Pakistan.
o The 24-hour strike called by the CPI (Maoist) against the ongoing
operations by security forces in the Maoist-hit zones, badly hit
mining operations and lives of people in the rural areas in Bihar.
o The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday sent a letter to President
Pratibha Patil recommending the death penalty to the 2001 Parliament
attack convict Afzal Guru. Sources say the Home Ministry's has upheld
the recommendations of the Delhi Lieutenant Governor who favoured
death penalty for Guru.
Labor/Social Unrest
o Another shutdown on Wednesday in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh
called by a student group brought normal life to a halt.
Full Text
Basic Political Developments
BJP demands Chidambaram's resignation, disrupts parliament
By Indo Asian News Service | IANS - 5 hours ago.. .
http://in.news.yahoo.com/bjp-demands-chidambarams-resignation-disrupts-parliament-074205067.html
New Delhi, Aug 10 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Wednesday
disrupted both houses of parliament and demanded Home Minister P.
Chidambaram's resignation over the police crackdown on party workers in
the capital the previous day.
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day following noisy protests when
members reassembled after the first disruption that forced the
cancellation of the crucial question hour.
In the Lok Sabha, shouts of 'Chidambaram isteefa do' (step down
Chidambaram) caused a din as members gathered in the house after the
morning adjournment.
Deputy Speaker Karia Munda, who was chairing the session, adjourned the
house till 2 p.m.
The first hour meant for questions related to government activities and
matters of public importance was lost to the protests against police baton
charge on BJP youth activists.
The BJP workers were demonstrating Tuesday at Jantar Mantar to press for
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's resignation over Commonwealth
Games-related irregularities.
As the Lok Sabha members met a day after intermittent adjournments,
Speaker Meira Kumar made an obituary reference to pay tribute to former MP
Shantilal Purshottamdas Patel.
As soon as the speaker called for the first of the listed questions, BJP
MPs were up on their feet protesting against the police action which they
alleged was ordered by Chidambaram.
'You cannot use force to stop those protesting against corruption and
rising prices. That is why Chidambaram should resign,' BJP MP Gopinath
Munde told reporters outside parliament.
The upper house witnessed more noisy scenes, with some BJP MPs rushing
towards the chairman's podium and demanding Chidambaram's resignation and
an explanation on why their party workers were cane-charged.
No free zone for Hyderabad: Telangana, Andhra, Rayalseema agree
http://www.rediff.com/news/report/no-free-zone-for-hyderabad-telangana-andhra-rayalseema-agree/20110810.htm
he decision to strike out Clause 14(f) has been approved by people from
Hyderabad, Andhra and Rayalseema, reports Vicky Nanjappa
With the proposed deletion of Clause 14(f), Hyderabad will cease to be a
free zone. This move will appease the supporters of a separate state of
Telangana, who have often claimed that several crucial state departments
like the police force are dominated by those hailing from Andhra and
Rayalseema.
Telangana activists believe that the heavy presence of Andhra and
Rayalseema locals in the police force hampers the movement for a separate
state.
On the other hand, people against this argument point out that when the
police force was dominated by supporters of Telangana in 1969, people from
other parts of the state received no protection.
Telangana activists have now asked the state government to postpone
examinations for sub-inspector posts that were scheduled to be held on
August 13 and 14.
The Andhra Pradesh government has decided to strike out Clause 14(f) and
this decision has been welcomed by all political parties.
People of Andhra and Rayalseema have also accepted this decision as police
personnel from these regions will continue to serve in Hyderabad, in spite
of this clause.
In 1969, when the agitation for a separate Telangana was at its peak, the
Centre had decided to make Hyderabad a free zone. The residents from
non-Telangana regions had complained that Telangana activists were
targeting them. They had claimed that the police was not doing enough to
protect them as most of them were supporters of the separate state.
Another theory suggests that Hyderabad was made a free zone so that people
from Andhra and Rayalseema could join the police force and curb the
movement.
After the deletion of Clause 14(f) is approved by the President, 70 per
cent of the posts of gazetted officers would have to be reserved for
locals.
In the case of non gazetted officers, which includes sub-inspector posts,
85 per cent jobs would be reserved for locals.
Incidentally, the term 'local' doesn't mean an original resident of
Telangana. Any person from Andhra or Rayalseema who has lived in Hyderabad
for seven years in a row becomes a 'local' and is eligible for the quota.
If a student has pursued his studies for four years in Hyderabad, he too
becomes eligible for the quota.
Activists from Telangana point out that the deletion of this clause would
be a minor victory for them while the people of Andhra and Rayalseema
can't complain about it, as their representatives have unanimously
approved the move.
"This move will help our people get more jobs. They shall not be deprived
like they have always been," say Telangana activists.
BJP, Congress delaying discussion on corruption: Left
By Indo Asian News Service | IANS - 5 hours ago.. .
http://in.news.yahoo.com/bjp-congress-delaying-discussion-corruption-left-082200613.html
New Delhi, Aug 10 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress
have joined hands to disrupt parliament in order to delay discussions on
corruption and price rise, the Left alleged Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters outside parliament, Communist Party of India-Marxist
(CPI-M) leader Brinda Karat said: 'The BJP and Congress have joined hands
to delay the discussion on corruption and price rise.'
'As there is a momentum, a debate scheduled on the issue of corruption and
price rise, what is the point in disrupting the house? It is a joint
effort by the BJP and the Congress. Quite frankly, the Congress is
benefiting from this,' Karat said.
The BJP Wednesday disrupted both houses of parliament and demanded Home
Minister P. Chidambaram's resignation over the police crackdown on party
workers in the capital the previous day.
National Economic Trends
RBI likely to continue tightening policy despite global woes
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/rbi-likely-to-continue-tightening-policy-despite-global-woes/articleshow/9555241.cms
MUMBAI: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is expected to continue tightening
policy in coming months until inflation peaks, despite increasing
uncertainty over a global economic slowdown and an extended period of easy
policy in the developed world.
Further tightening in Asia's third-largest economy would contrast sharply
with the approach of central banks in China and other parts of the world,
which are increasingly expected to put plans for more rate rises on ice
until the global outlook improves.
Heavy selling in financial markets in recent sessions, Europe's festering
debt crisis and the Federal Reserve's pledge on Tuesday to keep rates near
zero for at least two more years have only reinforced that cautious view.
The RBI next meets to review policy on Sept 16. It has already raised
rates 11 times since March 2010 as it struggles to rein in stubbornly high
inflation, with the last hike being a shock 50 basis points last month.
Some players have begun to price in a pause in rate hikes, as seen by a
retreat in bond yields and fall in the short-end rate swaps. But
inflationary pressures in India show few signs of abating even as global
commodity prices have recoiled from recent highs.
Here are some questions and answers on the likely scenarios for the
economy and the course of action the central bank may take:
WILL RBI's FOCUS SHIFT FROM INFLATION TO GROWTH?
Unlikely. The RBI can't take its eyes off inflation despite renewed
concerns about the health of the global economy.
Nearly all headline inflation estimates for India expect it to remain
above 9 percent until October, with the peak likely in September. Even
then, price pressures are expected to remain strong for some time,
moderating only slowly over the following months.
The wholesale price index, India's main inflation gauge, rose an annual
9.44 percent in June, well above the RBI's upwardly revised forecast of 7
percent for end-March and its "comfort" range of 4-4.5 percent.
Global commodity prices, which have a large impact on the country's
headline wholesale price index, may remain uncomfortably elevated despite
retreating globally in recent weeks.
Commodity prices so far are behaving differently from their post-Lehman
extended slide and are showing signs of a rebound. Even if that does not
last, they are bound to remain highly volatile.
India's food price index rose 8.04 percent in the year to July 23 while
the fuel price index surged 12.12 percent, data showed last week. The
primary articles index was up 10.99 percent compared with an annual rise
of 10.49 percent a week earlier.
Factory and service sector PMI reports last week also showed input costs
continued to rise sharply in July, and those increases will inevitably
bleed into the broader economy, adding to the argument for further policy
tightening.
Differences persist in govt over Food Bill impact on open market prices
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/differences-persist-in-govt-over-food-bill-impact-on-open-market-prices/articleshow/9536770.cms
NEW DELHI: Sharp differences persist in the government over whether and
how much of an impact the impending food law is likely to have on open
market food prices. At a time when input costs for farmers have already
gone up significantly and threaten volatility in food prices, the food
ministry has dismissed apprehensions voiced by Commission for Agricultural
Costs and Prices ( CACP) chairman Ashok Gulati on the issue.
Last week, food minister K V Thomas dubbed the difference between
marketable surplus in grains and the total production as "marginal". The
difference between the two is a key criterion for deciding the price and
demand-supply equations in the open market. Food ministry officials
assert, however, that the food law will be "scale neutral." On Monday,
however, Gulati, reacted by reiterating his apprehensions on open market
prices of foodgrain and an availability crunch in drought years.
Speaking to ET, he stressed that the government will also have to boost
its strategic buffer norm, in tandem with increased welfare commitment to
10mt, i.e., double its current level.
He pointed out that support prices for key crops, would have to go up
exponentially this year in view of higher input costs, although meeting
"full production costs" for crops would "remain a major challenge." In
view of that, the operational costs for the food law would also go up
manifold.
But, he added, "I have no worries on how the needs of the food law will be
met for the first year or two, given the huge stocks available with the
government now." Compared to stocks of only 19mt by the July 1 quarter in
2006, the government had 64mt this July 1.
"There is very little difference between the two. Any significant impact
is unlikely because the law is not procuring to store but procuring to
release into the market and cool down prices for both priority and the
general category. If the latter, who have been procuring from the open
market, find prices high, they will access grain from the food law
allocation at lesser price to make up their food grain needs. We are
currently procuring 55mt of grain for welfare and PDS programmes. For the
food law, we will be procuring 61mt, which is only a marginal increase in
buys. The price or supply impact will be neutralised since 48% of rural
(75% of the rural poor) and 28% of urban population will be covered. The
laws of demand and supply will act to make the food law scale neutral," a
senior ministry official said.
Quite contradictory to the food ministry's contention on marketable
surplus of grain, the farm ministry's Agricultural Statistics at A Glance
registers marketable surplus of grain as a proportion of total production
in states.In the three year period between 2005 and 2008, marketable
surplus of rice was 74.35% of total production and for wheat, it was
60.95% of the total production, the publication says.
Gulati, co-author of a key IFPRI study gauging the impact of the food law
on open market prices of grains and the participation of the private
sector in grain buys (reported first in ET May 11) released earlier this
year, pointed out, "Even priority consumers have to depend currently on
the open market for around 5kgs of grain per person, over and above the 7
kgs per person that the food law will accommodate.
As for the general category, high value rice forms only a small proportion
of total production. If the law doles out 3kg/person, that will mean that
8 kgs will have to be accessed from the open market. Logically, prices
should go up with increased demand. If that happens, the pressure will
increase on the food law allocations. If there is only one bucket of water
available and most of that is with the government, obviously, the demand
fro that will intensify, and the price for what's available outside will
go up.
The early 2011 IFPRI study had emphasized that the impact on prices could
not be dismissed since if the government bought around 30% of the total
production of the grain, it would translate to around 50% of the total
marketable surplus.
Business, Energy or Environmental regulations or discussions
Dalal Street cheers extension to RBI governor Subbarao
http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_dalal-street-cheers-extension-to-rbi-governor-subbarao_1574356
Published: Wednesday, Aug 10, 2011, 7:55 IST | Updated: Tuesday, Aug 9,
2011, 21:51 IST
He has surprised the markets once too often during his three-year Mint St
reign, and not always pleasantly. His hawkish stance on inflation and
aggressive rate hikes have made credit unaffordable and dealt a body blow
to the balance sheet of many a bank last quarter.
Yet, the two-year extension given by the government to Duvvuri Subbarao as
the Reserve Bank of India governor had the Street cheering on Tuesday.
The 61-year-old, who was due to step down on September 5, will now occupy
the hot seat till September 4, 2013, the Prime Minister's Office said in a
statement on its website.
"A new person takes some time to adjust. Now we are going through a global
crisis and in such a situation somebody who has already been handling the
situation will be in a better position to handle things and will be able
to move swiftly," said Ajay Manglunia, senior vice president, Edelweiss
Securities.
"If you see the post-crisis scenario, Subbarao was very aggressive in
cutting rates. When economic growth stabilised and inflation started
picking up, he resorted to hiking rates. He is somebody who responds very
swiftly to situations," said Arvind Chari, fixed income fund manager,
Quantum Mutual Fund.
"Our country has been more aggressive in terms of hiking rates due to
which we are much better off than other countries," said Dwijendra
Srivastava, head of fixed income, Sundaram Mutual Fund.
"Extension of his term will bring stability to a situation which demands
striking a balance between managing inflation as well as macro-economic
management," said Indian Overseas Bank chairman and managing director M
Narendra.
L Capital Asia, Groupe Arnault in fashion JV with Genesis Luxury Fashion
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/cons-products/garments-/-textiles/l-capital-asia-groupe-arnault-in-fashion-jv-with-genesis-luxury-fashion/articleshow/9547954.cms
NEW DELHI: In a move that underlines the growing global appeal for Indian
apparel, L Capital Asia, the private equity arm of the world's largest
luxury conglomerate LVMH Group, and Groupe Arnault is forming a 50:50
joint venture with Genesis Luxury Fashion to showcase ethnic haute
couture.
The companies together are in talks to invest about Rs 80 crore initially,
a person with direct knowledge of the development, told ET. "While L
Capital Asia will bring in its knowledge and help create a multibrand
system, Genesis will focus on retail distribution and infrastructure," the
person said.
The JV will act as a platform to promote and showcase work of budding
designers besides established ones like Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Rohit Bal
and Tarun Tahiliani.
In response to an email query, Ravi Thakran, managing partner of L Capital
Asia, said: "We are in the process of talking to designers who share our
vision for creating a national footprint through a scalable business
model. The products should have a distinct identity that resonates with
the Indian ethos."
He, however, declined to comment on the investment details of the JV firm.
Sanjay Kapoor, MD of Genesis Luxury, was not available for comment.
Industry insiders say that with rising consumerism in the country, the
designer and luxury fashion wear segment is increasingly attracting
investor interest in the country.
Last month, L Capital Asia acquired a 25.5% stake in Genesis Luxury for
about Rs 100 crore and has plans to pick up another additional 14.5% stake
in the company in the coming months. Established in 2008, Genesis Luxury
is the group company of the privatelyheld Genesis Colors, bringing
together a diverse range of brands from top-end men's wear to travel
accessories and bags, among others.
It has leading luxury brands, including Satya Paul, Canali, Paul Smith,
Just Cavalli and Jimmy Choo, among others. While LVMH focuses exclusively
on high-end luxury goods such as Louis Vuitton and Dior in its portfolio,
L Capital has been investing in aspirational and luxury goods makers all
over the world.
The fund, which has a corpus of $640 million plans to invest across
segments in India, including lifestyle retail, consumer brands, beauty &
wellness and hospitality. It is the fourth fund from L Capital and has
already invested in a few companies in Asia.
Among other private equity transactions sealed in the luxury fashion wear
segment, Franklin Templeton Private Equity Strategy acquired a 20% stake
in Kimaya Fashions for about Rs 60 crore, valuing the Mumbai-based
designer wear retailer at Rs 300 crore.
Reliance Communications says equity in Swan was within limits
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/telecom/reliance-communications-says-equity-in-swan-was-within-limits/articleshow/9552901.cms
NEW DELHI: Reliance Communications on Wednesday told a special CBI court
on second generation (2G) spectrum allocation case that its holdings in
Swan Telecom at the time of award of airwaves was well within the
prescribed limits.
"No criminal case can be made out against Reliance Telecom. It held only
9.9 percent equity in Swan Telecom when it was granted spectrum licences,"
the counsel for the company, now renamed Reliance Communications, said.
"Swan Telecom cannot be held as an associate company of Reliance Telecom.
It also did not have any say in deciding the board members," the counsel
told the special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court presided over
by Judge O.P. Saini.
The response was to the probe agency's charges that Reliance Telecom had
co-promoted Swan Telecom as its front company to get past the norms at
that time, making all existing service providers ineligible for fresh
spectrum in their current areas of operation.
"The guidelines only prohibited an existing telecom company from holding
shares in excess of 10 percent in another telecom company. We held 9.9
percent stake in Swan and no case is made out against us," the defence
counsel said.
Posco wants modification in draft MoU before renewal: Minister
http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5356179
Bhubaneswar, Aug 10 (PTI) Ahead of the renewal of its MoU with the Orissa
government for the 12-MTPA greenfield steel plant in Orissa, Posco-India
has sought certain modifications.
"Posco-India has accepted some of the suggestions made by the state
government, but it wants certain modifications," state Steel and Mines
Minister Raghunath Mohanty told reporters here today.
Though the MoU with the South Korean steel major lapsed on June 21, 2010,
it was yet to be renewed because of certain reasons including the iron ore
swapping clause.
Sources in the know said that Posco-India was not ready to accept the
state government''s proposal to exclude the swapping of iron ore clause in
the original MoU.
Under the lapsed Mou, iron ore high in alumina content not exceeding 30
per cent of the total annual requirement for the Paradip plant could be
swapped with equal quantity of low alumina content iron ore or with better
content imported for blending to produce better quality steel and conserve
energy.
The provision of swapping of iron ore in the MoU had been opposed by many,
including Jairam Ramesh, when he was the environment minister.
While according final forest clearance to the Posco project on May 2,
Ramesh as the minister for environment and forest had said: "The MoU had
provision for export of iron ore which made me deeply uncomfortable with
this project.
I would expect that the revised MoU between the state and Posco would be
negotiated in such a manner that exports of raw material are completely
avoided".
The government was examining Posco India''s application for modification
and certain in-principle decision would be taken, the minister said.
"We have almost finalised the draft of the MoU through consultation with
Posco-India. Have patience, we will renew the MoU with Posco soon," Chief
Secretary B K Patnaik said.
Gold price in India hits yet another milestone, crosses Rs 26,000
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/commodities/gold-price-in-india-hits-yet-another-milestone-crosses-rs-26000/articleshow/9553978.cms
NEW DELHI: Buoyed by the rising demand ahead of the marriage season and
diversion of funds by investors to bullion on falling equities, gold
prices today crossed the psychological level of Rs 26,000 per 10 grams for
the first time ever.
Continuing its five-day long rising streak, the metal added Rs 214 to Rs
26,055 per 10 grams in the national capital on the back of strong global
cues, where the precious metal touched record high levels.
Gold of 99.9 and 99.5 per cent purity advanced by Rs 215 each to Rs 26,055
and Rs 25,935 per 10 grams, respectively.
However, sovereigns shed Rs 100 to 20,900 per piece of eight grams.
In New York, gold rose to an all-time high of USD 1,782.50 an ounce, after
the Federal Reserve, seeking to bolster the economy, pledged to keep its
benchmark interest rate at a record low through at least mid-2013,
boosting demand for the metal as a haven investment.
Besides, a rising trend in the futures trade here and buying by retailers
to meet the marriage season demand further influenced the sentiment.
Market experts said the spurt in demand for gold is mainly due to US
credit rating downgrade and a faltering economy, which boosted the demand
for protection of wealth.
Maximum upsurge in prices was seen after Standard and Poor's announcement
of downgrading the US credit rating from AAA to AA+, which spurred a rout
in global equities and stoked concern that the US may lapse into another
recession, they added.
Activity in the Oil and Gas sector (including regulatory)
Jaipal Reddy rules out immediate cut in domestic oil price
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/energy/oil-gas/jaipal-reddy-rules-out-immediate-cut-in-domestic-oil-price/articleshow/9553821.cms
NEW DELHI: Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister S. Jaipal Reddy has
said that the decline in global oil prices is not enough for the Indian
government to order a roll back in the prices of petroleum products in the
domestic market.
Global oil prices has dropped by over three percent, as worries about an
economic slowdown spread after credit rating house Standard &amp; Poor's
cut the United States' top-tier credit rating late last Friday.
Reddy told media on Tuesday that: "The declining trend is not so big as to
warrant a cut; secondly the declining trend should be significant, stable
to warrant a cut. And, above all, I need to clarify for the moment, as I
speak to you, oil companies are losing four paise per litre of petrol. If
the decline takes place and if the trend stables we will surely reduce the
price of petrol."
He, however, expressed hope about a further lowering of international
prices, which in turn could enable the government to roll back the prices.
Brent crude was 22 cents lower at 103.52 dollars, having briefly moved
into positive territory. It fell to as low as 98.74 dollars, touching its
lowest since February 8. U.S. crude was down 94 cents at 80.37 dollars.
Meanwhile, India's opposition parties continued to criticize the
government for not following the same trend in decline as it does during
rise in global prices and demanded immediate rollback in the fuel prices.
"International prices of crude oil have come down, the logic given by the
Finance Minister (Pranab Mukherjee) and Oil Minister (S. Jaipal Reddy) is
that there is an increase in international market that's why they have
increased that three rupees and two rupees. We demand that they should
immediately roll back in the same analogy which they have given to the
people and lessen the burden," said M.Venkaiah Naidu, a senior leader of
the Bharatiya Janata Party.
A government panel had recently raised the price of LPG cylinder by 50
rupees per cylinder. It also raised the prices of kerosene oil by two
rupees per litre and diesel by three rupees per litre.
India has been trying to keep a lid on stubbornly high inflation even as
the economy shows signs of slowing. Headline inflation rose to 9.44
percent in June, above the central bank's comfort level of seven percent
for end-March.
With inflation above nine percent and domestic fuel costs up by nearly 13
percent within a year, raising prices would immediately hit the fractious
coalition's core voters, who are poor and who live on less than the cost
of two litres of diesel a day.
The long-term benefit to the country's finances would come from reducing
massive spending on subsidies and cutting the 101 million dollars a day in
losses that is incurred by state-run fuel retailers like Indian Oil
Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum.
Oil firms STOP fuel supply to Air India as cheques bounce
Last updated on: August 10, 2011 18:16 IST
http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-oil-firms-stop-fuel-supply-to-air-india-as-cheques-bounce/20110810.htm
State-owned oil marketing companies on Wednesday stopped jet fuel supplies
to Air India in the four metros after cheques from the national carrier
towards payment for fuel bounced, raising fears that the airline's flight
schedules might be badly disrupted.
Public sector oil firms had in May threatened to stop jet fuel supplies to
Air India after the cash-strapped national carrier repeatedly defaulted on
payment of fuel bills.
Air India was put on cash-and-carry from December 2010, but the airline
was not able to pay for even its daily fuel purchases.
Oil companies had in the last week of May sent a notice for stopping
aviation turbine fuel supplies to Air India at some airports like Calicut
and Jaipur
Militant Activity/Terrorism (Particularly in Bangalore, Mumbai, Noida, Chennai,
Coimbatore)
Al Qaeda Planning to Target India: Intelligence
http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?730823
PTI | New Delhi | Aug 10, 2011
The Centre today said intelligence inputs have suggested that al-Qaeda and
one of its dreaded terrorists Ilyas Kashmiri were planning to target
India.
"There are some intelligence inputs, though not specifically, regarding
plan to target India by al-Qaeda and Ilyas Kashmiri, an al-Qaeda-HUJI
operative and his group," Minister of State for Home Jitendra Singh
informed Rajya Sabha.
The Minister said government was committed to combat terrorism and
extremism in all its forms and manifestation as no cause, genuine or
imaginary, can justify terrorism or violence.
"Government continues to be alert to these threats and re-calibrates its
measures to combat terrorism by way of reviewing threat perception and a
number of important decisions and measures have been taken...," he said.
Red Fort attack: Supreme Court confirms death sentence for Arif
http://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/India/20110810/1809470.html
New Delhi | August 10, 2011 12:01:13 AM IST
The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the death sentence for
Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorist Mohammad Arif alias Ashfaq in connection
with the 2000 Red Fort attack case in which three people were killed.
An apex court bench of Justices V S Sirpukar and T S Thakur dismissed
Arif's plea challenging the death sentence awarded to him by a trial court
and later affirmed by the Delhi High Court in September 2007.
The LeT militants attacked the high security zone Red Fort on December 22,
2000 in which two soldiers and a civilian was killed.
Split in ULFA? Baruah slams peace talks
http://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/India/20110810/1809498.html
The outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has literally split
with a faction headed by the elusive commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah
Wednesday coming down hard on the peace talks led by chairman Arabinda
Rajkhowa.
"There should not be any confusion regarding the position of the ULFA as
the so-called peace talks with the government are concerned," Praesh
Baruah said in a signed e-mailed statement received by IANS.
The ULFA commander-in-chief was reacting to media reports Wednesday
quoting Rajkhowa that recent statements by (publicity chief) Arundoi
Dohotia regarding the peace talks were his own and did not have the
concurrence of Baruah.
"ULFA will split only if Paresh Baruah comes up with a signed statement
that he does not favour a political solution and instead wants a military
solution. We believe Dohotia's statements are his own," Rajkhowa was
quoted as saying in the local media.
Last week, seven top ULFA leaders led by Rajkhowa held the first formal
round of peace talks in New Delhi chaired by Home Minister P. Chidambaram.
The hardliners led by the Baruah rejected the talks and the charter of
demands submitted by the Rajkhowa faction to the government.
"Ulfa does not recognize the charter that has nothing to protect the
rights of the indigenous people of the state. The 32-year-long movement of
ULFA doesn't recognise any dialogue that doesn't discuss sovereign Assam,"
Dohotia said in a statement over the weekend.
Rajkhowa told the media that ULFA during its early days took the help of
Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
But Baruah said Wednesday: "Leaders out on bail are making unfounded and
malicious statements that we took help of Pakistan. At no point did we
take help from Pakistani fundamentalists as we don't encourage
fundamentalists."
That the ULFA is now virtually divided and split into two factions is
evident from the strongly worded statement by Baruah, hiding somewhere
along the Myanmar-China border.
"I appeal to all those who are trying to create confusion to come back to
the ULFA fold once again," Baruah said.
Huge cache of arms recovered from bus in Assam
http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/other-states/article2343325.ece
A huge cache of arms and ammunitions, including two powerful IEDs, were
recovered from a bus during a search operation in the run-up to the
Independence Day in Assam's Dhubri district on Wednesday, official sources
said.
Acting on a tip-off, BSF personnel conducted a search operation in a bus
coming from Dhubri to Goalpara and recovered the explosives kept in a bag
under a seat of the bus at Alamganj on National Highway 31 under Dhubri
police station area.
The seized arms and ammunitions included two powerful IEDs weighing nearly
three kgs, a 9 mm pistol, a 7.48 U.S.-made pistol and seven live
cartridges. The driver and conductor of the bus have been taken into
custody, the sources said.
Assam would have been Independent if China helped, says ULFA Chairman
http://www.timesofassam.com/headlines/assam-would-have-been-independent-if-china-helped-says-ulfa-chairman/
The chairman of United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), Arabinda Rajkhowa
yesterday denied having received support from China or Pakistan. "There
are reports about China helping us. If such a big powerful country was
helping us, then we would have made Assam Independent long time back"
Rajkhowa stated.
Rajkhowa clarified that he and other leaders of the outfit did go to
Pakistan when Operation Bajrang was launched in Assam in 1990 but denied
that they were backed by Islamic fundamentalists of that country. "Our
organization is against communalism and fundamentalism. Therefore, the
question of us siding up with fundamentalist groups does not arise at
all," Rajkhowa said, reacting to media reports about the ULFA being backed
by Pakistani Islamic fundamentalists.
Rajkhowa stated that they had gone to Pakistan because the situation was
different at that time. They had considered the enemy of an enemy as their
friend then as there was an Assam-India conflict. The ULFA chairman stated
that just because they went there, it does not mean that Pakistan provided
them their weapons. Like other outfits, they acquired their weapons from
various sources such as arms dealers, other armed groups, etc.
"We not only went to Pakistan, but to Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar. We
also went to Europe and international bodies to garner support for our
cause. Staying in a country does not mean that the country helped us,"
Rajkhowa said.
Mentionable that The pro-talk faction of United Liberation Front of Asom
(ULFA) had submitted their charter of demands to the Union Government of
India in New Delhi on 5th August. The demand charter, included apart from
political, economic and cultural rights for Assam, a fresh look on the
issue of sovereignty and a High level discussion on grounds and root
causes for ULFA struggle and their genuineness. This, the ULFA claims is
to ensure that the people of Assam can assert their indisputable rights to
control their own lands and resources.
The next round of talks is expected to be held after August 15 at the Home
Minister level.
Arabinda Rajkhowa denied having any ideological conflict with Paresh
Baruah and rubbished reports of a split in the outfit, saying it is only
the media that creating these so called "factions". He claimed that Paresh
Baruah, their commander-in-chief, also wanted a solution to the Indo -
Assam conflict and confirmed that he has been in touch with Baruah over
the telephone. He however cited that Baruah has doubts about how much the
government of India can be trusted.
Times of Assam had earlier revealed that an email from Arunodoy Dohotiya,
the publicity chief of the hardliner faction of ULFA, was sent from
Beijing of China with the IP address as 116.54.165.235. There were also
reports from sources which claimed that Paresh Baruah has been able to
move his elder son Ankur Khan Sunlee to China.
ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa claims that ULFA could have made Assam
Independent if China helped them. People would be left asking then, what
the reported good relation between Paresh Baruah and China signify.
Maoist bandh hits rural areas in state
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/Maoist-bandh-hits-rural-areas-in-state/articleshow/9552761.cms
RANCHI: The 24-hour bandh called by the CPI(Maoist) against the ongoing
operations by security forces in the Maoist-hit zones, badly hit mining
operations and lives of people in the rural areas on Tuesday. However, it
had a partial impact in urban areas. The Maoists have even threatened to
call an indefinite economic blockade across the state if the security
forces continue their operation. Sources from the mining industry revealed
that operations were crippled owing to the bandh, especially in West
Singhbhum and some parts of Lohardaga, Gumla and Ramgarh.
"Iron ore, bauxite and coal transportation were affected because of the
bandh as transporters were not ready to take risk by violating the diktat.
Even if we go by our conservative estimate then the loss to mining
industry owing to the bandh will not be less than Rs 50 crore," said a
source. Long-distance and intercity buses remained off roads which created
problems for commuters especially in the rural areas, where public
transport is the main mode of transportation.
"Most shops and commercial establishments remained close fearing attack
from the Maoists," said a source. However, there was no visible impact of
the bandh in the urban areas where shops and other business establishments
functioned normally. People only had problems in getting buses but train
services in the state were normal. "Most of the transporters kept the
buses and trucks off roads because the rebels generally target the vehicle
after the bandh as security forces are withdrawn," said a bus owner.
Police spokesperson IG R K Mallik said that security forces were on the
alert and no unfortunate incident was reported from any place.
Home Ministry rejects Afzal Guru's mercy petition: sourcesCNN-IBN
Updated Aug 10, 2011 at 06:34pm IST
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/home-ministry-rejects-afzal-gurus-mercy-plea/174655-3.html
New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday sent a letter to
President Pratibha Patil recommending the death penalty to the 2001
Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, sources have told CNN-IBN.
Sources say the Home Ministry's has upheld the recommendations of the
Delhi Lieutenant Governor who favoured death penalty for Guru.
The ministry has sent 8-10 page note with its recommendations to the
President that includes the trial court, the Delhi High Court and the
Supreme Court orders as well as the Delhi Lieutenant Governor's report.
Minister of State for Home Mullappally Ramachandran informed the Rajya
Sabha that the Home Ministry had submitted Afzal Guru's case to the
President's Secretariat for a final decision.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which has been very vocal in demanding
that Guru be hanged welcomed the rejection of his mercy petition.
"It's very late but a welcome step. Hope the death penalty is executed as
soon as possible. I hope there are no other snags. At least an example is
set," said BJP leader Balbir Punj. "Under our system, the President is
bound by the opinion of the Cabinet. The President does not have much
choice," he said.
The Congress claimed that the BJP was unnecessarily trying to gain
political mileage out of Parliament attack case.
"The Home Ministry has given the opinion that Afzal Guru be hanged," said
Congress leader Rashid Alvi.
Terming it's a legal process, Alvi said, "The BJP was unnecessarily trying
to take political mileage on this. The President of India will decide
now."
Guru was convicted of conspiracy in the December 2001 attack on Parliament
and was sentenced to death by the Supreme Court in 2004. The sentence was
scheduled to be carried out on October 20, 2006.
However, Guru's execution was stayed following a mercy petition filed by
his wife. He has been on the death row for nearly a decade.
Labor/Social Unrest
Another shutdown hits life in Telangana
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/another-shutdown-hits-life-in-telangana/articleshow/9550825.cms
HYDERABAD: Another shutdown on Wednesday in Telangana region of Andhra
Pradesh called by a student group, demanding jobs for locals in the police
department here, brought normal life to a halt.
Buses of state-owned Andhra Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC)
went off the roads. Schools, colleges and universities remained shut while
shops and business establishments also downed shutters in the ten
districts of Telangana, which include Hyderabad.
The day-long shutdown has been called by Telangana Students Joint Action
Committee demanding deletion of clause 14(F) from Presidential Order,
which treats Hyderabad as a free zone. This means that candidates from
Andhra and Rayalaseema regions are also eligible to be recruited in police
department in Hyderabad.
Commuters were stranded at bus stations across the region as APSRTC
authorities suspended bus services. The corporation, however, is operating
city bus services in twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
As Telangana political Joint Action Committee (JAC) is backing the
shutdown, activists of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), Bharatiya Janata
Party (BJP) and other parties took to streets to enforce the shutdown.
All educational institutions declared a holiday here as petrol bunks and
cinema theatres remained shut. Only a few private vehicles were seen
plying on the roads.
Police here imposed prohibitory orders, banning assembly of five or more
people, and warned the protestors against forcibly enforcing the shutdown.
Thousands of policemen and about 40 companies of central paramilitary
forces were deployed as part of the massive security.
Two-day shutdown July 5 and 6 and another strike July 22, called by JAC to
demand separate Telangana state, had badly hit regular life.
Though Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) Tuesday decided to
recommend the president to delete the clause, the students' group went
ahead with the shutdown saying they would continue the protest till the
president deletes it.
Telangana groups are also demanding that the state government defer the
written test for recruitment of sub-inspectors of police, scheduled to be
held Aug 13 and 14, till the clause is deleted.
Under this clause of Presidential Order, 1975, the Supreme Court in 2009
had declared Hyderabad a free zone. Telangana groups, fighting for
separate statehood to the region, have since been demanding its deletion.
CCPA decided to recommend the deletion of the clause after the state
government informed the centre that passing a fresh resolution in the
assembly in this regard is impossible in the prevailing surcharged
atmosphere.
The state assembly had passed a resolution last year, urging the centre to
delete the controversial clause but the centre had last week asked the
state government to pass a fresh resolution.